PONY TRAIL

Ponies are indigenous with the New Forest and are a popular attraction for photographers.
The ponies have populated the moorland areas at least since the times of William the Conquerer in the 11th century, but there is evidence they may have existed long before that.
Today they hold right of way on the road, but you’ll find them all over the Forest and are valued for their strong, workmanlike stature
They roam at will and although all owned by New Forest commoners — local people who hold rights to allow animals to graze on Forest land — live in the wild. Yet, they are all a friendly breed, and when stabled can be ridden by children or adults, are able to be driven in harness and even compete successfully against larger horses in horse show competition.
They are quite small, standing no more than 4 to 5ft, and while numbers fell alarmingly after the second world war, their population has grown steadily since, and today several thousand roam the moorland of the Forest. It’s their friendly nature that can lead visitors to be tempted to feed them — strictly against the rules of the Forest. But they won’t shy away from you and will often deliberately gather round visiting families, no doubt hoping to be passed the odd illegal mouthful.
They are year-round animals, although rounded up each autumn for health checks and some are sold through the pony sales at Beaulieu Road in the heart of the Forest. But most are let to graze in the open throughout the winter.

But given a shred of sunshine like today, you’ll find them in groups, happily basking in the relative warmth.